South Bali, Indonesia Travel Guide
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Bali Temples
Taman Ayun Temple in Bali
Taman Ayun Temple
Overview: Taman Ayun (beautiful garden) is located in the Badung region in the Mengwi district. To put that into geographic perspective, it’s about a half an hour north (slightly east) of Kuta and about 5 miles southwest of Ubud. This means you definitely need to take a taxi. The place is cool and a nice place to spend an afternoon. Stop by and enjoy beverage from one of the many stands across the street from the temple.
So the Pura Taman Ayun is one of Bali’s most famous temples. It was built in 1634 for the Mengwi empire by I Gusti Agung Anom, one of the significant figures and founders of the Mengwi Kingdom. The entrance has, what appears to be, statues of garuda birds or dragons. Then you encounter a bridge and notice the beautiful moat wrapping the temple. Once you cross, there is a small covered ticket counter (near is a souvenir shop). You pay a nominal Rp5,000 (maybe fifty cents) fee to enter. The cokes across the streets cost Rp10,000!
Taman Ayun Temple
The temple starts of with a large outer courtyard dominated by long, rolling rassy lawns and a walkway down the center. The walkway leads to an inner courtyard where you’ll find a shrine. The temple is, after all, a place of worship. There about 6 steps to enter this part of the inner shrine. Go a little farther and you will come across wooden structures that look like pagodas. They are “merus” that are characterized by narrowing thatched roofs.
After a visit, step outside and breathe in the Bali air and relax by the moat. Cross the street and grab some beverages and snacks.
Location: Mengi District, Badung Regency, Bali 80351
Website: http://www.balitourismboard.org/temples.html
Cost: Rp5,000
Accessibility: Taman Ayun’s entrance and grounds are wheelchair accessible. But to reach the interior of the grounds where the temple is located, you must climb some steps. So, half of the temple grounds is wheelchair accessible. The temple itself is not.
Front Door: No front door. Just bridge to cross to reach the entrance. The ticket booth does, however, have steps so the staff will have to come down to you.
Steps: No steps initially in the outer courtyard. There are about 6 to reach the next courtyard.
Getting There: Cab it, hire a driver or rent a motorcycle